Following a unanimous vote from member governors, the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition has added solar energy issues to its agenda and renamed itself the Governors’ Wind and Solar Energy Coalition.
“The addition of solar to the coalition’s portfolio represents a commitment to future economic and renewable energy growth, and further diversification of our nation’s energy portfolio,” says Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who leads the coalition as chairman this year. “Bringing to bear the support of America’s leading governors and their commitment to both solar and wind energy, and the coalition’s high-quality policy work, this group can have significant influence. Adding solar energy will strengthen our voice.”
Since its creation, the coalition has supported policies that promote wind energy. In 2015, the bipartisan, 22-member coalition advocated forcefully for the long-term extensions of the federal renewable energy production and investment tax credits, and Congress approved the extensions in December.
According to the coalition, the addition of solar energy will help the group engage both Congress and the president on other important issues, such as the storage and movement of energy, as well as research and development.
